Comments on: Pocketwizard TT1 Review

By: Bryce Boyer

Bryce Boyer — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:19:36 +0000

I had my digital tech, who is VERY good at figuring this kind of thing out, set up a knew TT1 for fast flash duration. He reported many of the same issues as above. I read this post after a brief google to see if it is just our unit or if others are having similar issues. I’m glad it is not just our unit. At the same time, I’m frustrated b/c I really hoped this little guy would work.

I’m using the unit with a 1Dmark III. When I hit the test button, it fires any number of Profoto packs with PW Plus II receivers. But the camera won’t fire the PW thru the hot shoe. I’ve tried it with 3 bodies all with the same result! I know the radio signal is sending, but the camera is not as to make the signal go. If I put the camera on motor drive and let it roll, sometimes I’ll get a pop in there. My tech has is using current firmware and has tried all kinds of solutions. I came across this blog hoping to find my own solution- only to find we are not alone in these issues. I think I have passed my time to return my unit. If I figure anything out, I come back here with feedback.

By: Ross

Ross — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:56:10 +0000

I just took the risk and bought a couple of TT5s and a TT1. It seems like a pretty terrible idea! I’ve only had a chance to test them indoors in close range but, even there, they’re misfiring about 25-50% of the time, even though I’m using a 550ex which has very low radio noise. Interestingly, I tried using the TT1 or TT5 as a transmitter and a Plus (the old blue one) as a receiver and they fired perfectly every single time. This set-up still gves you the benefit of Hypersync (7D shoots cleanly up to about 1/500s, even at minimum flash power) but you lose TTL. If this works outdoors over long range, I’d be tempted to hang on to one for fast-sync flash work. It would leave a nasty taste in my mouth though when they don’t really do what they’re supposed to!

By: Dan Carr

Dan Carr — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:19:31 +0000

wow very interesting! Thanks for the update Yoda!

By: Yoda

Yoda — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:50:02 +0000

Update! Went to the dealer today and after an hour with several different setups, we tried some brand new flex and mini. They come with version 5.0 and worked perfectly, THEN we upgraded to version 5.100 and same shit, same wrapping. Lession: DO NOT UPGRADE TO 5.100 until LPA design realeses a new version and bug fix for this. We tried both 5D2 and 1D4

By: Yoda

Yoda — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 22:39:18 +0000

Last Saturday I joined the bunch and bought me one mini and two flex’. first thing first, I live in Oslo, Norway so all the equipment listed below is CE approved. I also have a 5D2 and some L glasses together with two 580EX II. I started with a few shots in my livingroom and the flashes fired some 75% of the shots and not every time both fired. I have tried almost everything (I think) I replaced all the batteries, upgraded to the latest software (5.100), tried hot-shoes with built in PC cable, various distances, with or without lightstand and umbrellas/softboxes, both manual and ettl. The only improvement noticable is a small change in consistency when on a lightstand but still no champagne. My old plus II (which was from B&H and therefore FCC approved) was working all the time but this crap is throwing me back to the stoneage. I can’t shoot weddings and say to the client: “Uh oh, can we please do that again, my flashes didn’t fire” I purchased them for overpowering the sun but the only thing I’m overpowering is my frustration to sort this out. I also heard that the CE versions have less interference with the 580EX II and neither the AC5 (sock) nor the AC7 (shield) is neccesary but that seems to be wrong, would love to hear from others in EU who might have the same problem or maybe a fix?
And yes, pressing the test button fires everything just fine and a flash mounted on top of the mini also fires every time so it can’t be the connections. Or can it?

Anyway, I’m going to see the dealer next week to try a different set, maybe I have some luck then?

By: Dan Carr

Dan Carr — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:52:14 +0000

thanks for the input John

By: John LaPorte

John LaPorte — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:38:05 +0000

I too purchased a TT1 and TT5 and they have been nothing but problems. My dealer told me to
send them back for a free up-grade and PW sent me a brand new set, complete with a sock to
slide over the 580ex2. The new units are no better and the sock (if it helps at all) just gets in the way of the controls on the flash unit.

My problem has been, that when tested in the studio, they seem to work ok. On location, It is
a totally hit and miss situation. The light will usually fire with the test button, but not
from the camera. I am not using a real fast shutter either. Range is very limited also when
compared to the old PW2′s. When I talked to the TR at PW he said that sometimes you just have
to shoot it 3 or 4 times for it to get itself together. This makes for a “real professional”
situation when on location. This purchase was a major mistake.

By: Pim Hendriksen

Pim Hendriksen — Mon, 17 May 2010 09:30:08 +0000

I couldn’t get them working at high speeds. I browsed for days to look for a solution, but I couldn’t get faster than 1/200. I bought the set all at once, so I never bothered to check if the firmware was the same for every unit. But it wasn’t! After a firmware upgrade it work instantly. So folks, check your firmware!

I use a 430EX II that can be used on E-TTL or manual in any speed. The 540EZ I use can be used at 1/1 and 1/2 power on manual at 1/8000 of a second. I almost gave up on the pocket wizards, but now I am happy with it. Btw, my camera is a Canon 5d mk2.

By: Jason VH

Jason VH — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:32:17 +0000

I guess misery loves company, because I feel a lot better after reading your post Dan. I have had issues with inconsistency and range with my PW IIs, and thought it was just me.

The TT5 looked so promising, and I am glad I held off until reading the first waves of product feedback. I hope they get their act together, the form factor and not needing the additional cable is a big selling point. I’m actually surprised PW doesn’t have a marketing plan in place to handle damage control over this- if I was their web marketing guy, I’d be working to at least spin this.

Right now I’m just bummed I didn’t pick up several PW IIs when everyone was selling them off in anticipation of the TT1 & TT5 release.

By: Leanna

Leanna — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:11:58 +0000

I should have read this first. I got my new PW TT1 this morning and it hasn’t worked once. I use a Canon 50D, configured several different options and still get misfires. I have a 580EX and after much frustration, it finally fired but only twice. I don’t understand those videos where they say that you just put it on top of your camera and start shooting. On what planet? I’m returning it tomorrow morning. I am quite disappointed with the built of the item and all the fudging involved. I don’t have time for that stuff.